Sicily (Palermo), Italy
Description
View cruises with Sicily (Palermo), ItalyPalermo is a cultural feast, a fascinating combination of East and West, Arab and Norman that is quite unlike any other European city on the Mediterranean. A simple stroll can serve to illustrate Palermo's rich heritage. The Quattro Canti is the great square at the heart of the city. A short walk past its 17th-century palazzos and fountains brings the traveler to the Palazzo dei Normanni. Begun by Arab emirs in the 9th century, the Palazzo was finished by the island's Norman conquerors. The Palazzo's stone arches and buttresses stand in stark contrast to its Palatine Chapel. There elaborate tile work and mosaics lend mute testimonies to the Islamic and Byzantine influences that a lso shaped Palermo's culture. The city abounds in such colorful sights, from the neo-classical Teatro Massimo, one of the largest opera houses in Europe, to the catacombs beneath the Capuchin convent, where thousands of mummified bodies lie in eternal rest.
Points of Interest
- Erice
- Ruins of Segesta
- Cathedral of Palermo
- Duomo di Monreale
- Capuchin Catacombs
- Palazzo dei Normanni
- Teatro Massimo
- L'Antica Masseria
More about Sicily (Palermo), Italy Points of Interest
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Erice -
This centuries-old town looks out over the Aegadian Islands and features labyrinthine streets, a Norman castle, the 14th-century Mother Church, and a museum full of ancient artifacts.
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Ruins of Segesta -
Reminiscent of the Acropolis, the Greek ruins at Segesta include a well-preserved Doric temple with 36 columns and a great amphitheater that opens to the pastoral Sicilian landscape.
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Cathedral of Palermo -
An amalgamation of different architectural styles, this incredible cathedral complex features intricate design on its facade, and includes royal tombs, a crypt, a treasury and a chapel.
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Duomo di Monreale -
This 12th-century cathedral was designed to the very finest detail, with intricate mosaics covering the walls, ceiling and floor, Romanesque bronze doors, and a well-preserved Byzantine cloister.
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Capuchin Catacombs -
Not for the faint of heart, this macabre tourist attraction was once a sought-after destination for the deceased, and today contains the mummified remains of some 8,000 men, women and children.
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Palazzo dei Normanni -
Home of the Sicilian parliament, this structure once served the Kings of Sicily and contains a richly-mosaicked chapel, a large collection of Islamic paintings and centuries-old Royal Apartments.
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Teatro Massimo -
Completed in 1897, this famed neoclassical opera house is the largest in all of Italy, seating audiences of up to 1,350. It also served as the setting for the final scenes of Godfather Part III.
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L'Antica Masseria -
Nestled in the pastoral Sicilian countryside, surrounded by rolling green hills, this elegant hotel features a family chapel, cobblestone paths and a fine restaurant. It often plays host to weddings.
